'I cannot buy it-'tis not sold' by Emily Dickinson


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I cannot buy it-'tis not sold-
There is no other in the World-
Mine was the only oneI was so happy I forgot
To shut the Door And it went out
And I am all alone-If I could find it Anywhere
I would not mind the journey there
Though it took all my storeBut just to look it in the Eye-
"Did'st thou?" "Thou did'st not mean," to say,
Then, turn my Face away.

Editor 1 Interpretation

I Cannot Buy It- 'Tis Not Sold: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

By [Your Name Here]

Are you a seeker of truth? Do you yearn for knowledge and understanding of the world around you? If so, then you are in good company with the great American poet, Emily Dickinson. Her poem, "I Cannot Buy It- 'Tis Not Sold," explores the limits of material wealth and the endless pursuit of knowledge. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, language, and structure of this classic work of poetry.

Themes

At its core, "I Cannot Buy It- 'Tis Not Sold" is a meditation on the limitations of material wealth. The speaker of the poem yearns for knowledge and understanding, but recognizes that these things cannot be bought with money. In fact, the poem suggests that the pursuit of material wealth can actually hinder the pursuit of knowledge.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker declaring, "I cannot buy it- 'tis not sold- / There is no other in the world-." The use of the word "it" is intentionally vague, as the speaker is referring to something intangible, something that cannot be easily defined or quantified. The second line of the stanza emphasizes the speaker's isolation, as they declare that "there is no other in the world" who can provide what they seek.

This sense of isolation is echoed in the second stanza, where the speaker describes the pursuit of knowledge as a "lonely way." They declare that "None ever did it for me-" suggesting that they have sought out others to help them on their quest, but to no avail.

The third stanza brings the theme of material wealth to the forefront, as the speaker declares that "Gold is the stranger, we suspect / And smile upon our fear-" Here, the speaker is suggesting that material wealth is a distraction from the pursuit of knowledge. The phrase "smile upon our fear" suggests that we use material wealth to mask our anxieties and insecurities, rather than facing them head-on.

The final stanza brings the theme of isolation full circle, as the speaker declares that "The worthiness of poverty / Is yet to be explored." Here, the speaker is suggesting that perhaps the pursuit of knowledge requires a certain level of poverty, a stripping away of material distractions in order to fully focus on the quest for understanding.

Language

Dickinson's use of language in "I Cannot Buy It- 'Tis Not Sold" is characteristic of her unique style. Her use of capitalization, for example, emphasizes certain words and phrases, giving them added weight and significance. In this poem, the capitalization of "Gold" in the third stanza underscores its importance as a symbol of material wealth.

The use of repetition is also notable in this poem. The phrase "I cannot buy it- 'tis not sold" is repeated in the first and final stanzas, emphasizing the central theme of the poem. Similarly, the repetition of the word "lonely" in the second stanza emphasizes the speaker's isolation.

Perhaps most notable, however, is the use of dashes throughout the poem. Dickinson was known for her unconventional use of punctuation, and the dashes in this poem serve a variety of purposes. They create pauses and breaks in the lines, emphasizing certain words and phrases. They also create a sense of fragmentation, echoing the speaker's sense of isolation and incompleteness.

Structure

"I Cannot Buy It- 'Tis Not Sold" is a short poem, consisting of only four quatrains. The poem is written in ballad meter, with an alternating rhyme scheme (ABCB). This gives the poem a sing-song quality that belies its serious subject matter.

Despite its brevity, the poem is carefully structured, with each stanza building upon the last. The first stanza sets the tone and establishes the central theme of the poem. The second stanza deepens our understanding of the speaker's isolation and the difficulty of their quest. The third stanza introduces the theme of material wealth and its potential pitfalls. Finally, the fourth stanza brings the themes of isolation and material wealth together, suggesting that perhaps the pursuit of knowledge requires a certain level of poverty.

Conclusion

"I Cannot Buy It- 'Tis Not Sold" is a masterful work of poetry that explores the limitations of material wealth and the endless pursuit of knowledge. Through her use of language and structure, Dickinson creates a powerful meditation on the human condition. Ultimately, the poem suggests that the pursuit of knowledge requires a certain level of sacrifice, a willingness to strip away the distractions of material wealth and embrace the loneliness of the quest.

As readers, we are left with a sense of awe at Dickinson's ability to capture such complex themes in such a short space. We are left with a sense of longing for the intangible thing that the speaker seeks, and a recognition that perhaps we too are guilty of using material wealth as a distraction from our own fears and anxieties.

In short, "I Cannot Buy It- 'Tis Not Sold" is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to move us, inspire us, and make us feel things we never thought possible. Emily Dickinson, one of the most renowned poets of all time, understood this power better than most. In her poem "I cannot buy it-'tis not sold," Dickinson explores the idea that poetry is not something that can be bought or sold, but rather something that is priceless and invaluable.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that they cannot buy poetry, as it is not something that can be sold. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the idea that poetry is not a commodity that can be bought and sold like any other product. Instead, it is something that is intangible and cannot be measured in terms of monetary value.

The second line of the poem, "In the desolate market," further emphasizes this idea. The word "desolate" suggests that the market is empty and devoid of life, which is a stark contrast to the bustling and vibrant markets that we are used to seeing. This image of a desolate market reinforces the idea that poetry is not something that can be bought or sold, as there is no market for it.

The third line of the poem, "From dealer to dealer," suggests that the speaker has been searching for poetry in various places, but has been unable to find it. This line also reinforces the idea that poetry is not something that can be bought or sold, as the speaker has been unable to find it in any market or from any dealer.

The fourth line of the poem, "Priceless commodity," is perhaps the most important line in the entire poem. This line suggests that poetry is not something that can be measured in terms of monetary value, as it is priceless and invaluable. This idea is reinforced by the use of the word "commodity," which suggests that poetry is something that is valuable and sought after, but cannot be bought or sold.

The fifth line of the poem, "The only coin," suggests that there is only one way to obtain poetry, and that is through the act of writing it. This line reinforces the idea that poetry is not something that can be bought or sold, as it can only be obtained through the act of creation.

The final line of the poem, "I cannot buy it-'tis not sold," brings the poem full circle and reinforces the idea that poetry is not something that can be bought or sold. This line also suggests that the speaker has come to accept this fact, and has stopped searching for poetry in markets and from dealers.

Overall, "I cannot buy it-'tis not sold" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the idea that poetry is not something that can be bought or sold. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Emily Dickinson has created a poem that reminds us of the true value of poetry, and the importance of creating it for ourselves.

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